Signal apparatus



s. M. THOMAS ETAL 2,

May 26, 1959 SIGNAL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 1, 1955 I v 3 5 a 4 w v w. M a4 LL A f K 4/ J M w {WM ll. w r. a .J/ 4 w y a a g M lllx h fji vmvrozeBY @Zwz 7721M, ,4, ATTORNE United States Patent Cfiice 2,888,669Patented May 26, 1959 SIGNAL APPARATUS Glenn M. Thomas and Grant L.Thomas, Chicago, Ill.

Application February 1, 1955, Serial No. 485,396

4 Claims. (Cl. 340-326) This invention relates to signal apparatusoperable to provide a signal or indication of a condition change inapparatus with which it is associated. The signal apparatus orannunciator is especially useful as a door announcer, but it will beapparent that it has numerous other applications.

Door announcers that are operative to provide an audible indication ofthe presence of someone at the door are widely used and serve theirpurpose satisfactorily. However, there are a vast number of persons thatare hard of hearing and for these persons audible door announcers arepractically useless. No satisfactory alternative for audible doorannouncers is known at present and there exists then a need for somemeans that is operable to indicate or announce to the hard of hearingthe presence of someone at the door of their homes and that wishes toannounce their presence to those within that may be hard of hearing.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a means forsatisfying this deficiency in the art. Another object of the inventionis to provide signal apparatus operative to announce or to apprise ofcondition changes in systems with which the apparatus is employed, andthat is particularly suited for use as a door announcer functioning insuch embodiment to give a visual signal when the door button isdepressed. Still another object is to provide signal or annunciatorapparatus that is operative to provide a continuing indication of amomentary change in apparatus or systems with which it is used, as forexample, when a doorbell button is momentarily depressed.

A further object is in the provision of signal apparatus operative toprovide a flashing visual indication that some predetermined change hasoccurred in apparatus or systems with which the signal apparatus isemployed, the flashing indication or signal being maintained wheredesired for some preselected period and thereafter automaticallyterminated. Still a further object is in the provision of signalapparatus or a silent announcer adapted for use in conjunction with thecustomary doorbell system, and which is operative upon the momentarydepressing of the doorbell button to provide a flashing visual signalfor a predetermined period far in excess of the period for which thedoorbell button is depressed, the flashing indicator being selectivelyoperable to interrupt a continuously energized light, for example, or tocyclically energize a light that is normally de-energized orextinguished. Yet a further object is to provide apparatus as describedabove in which a plurality of indicators may all be connected to thesame apparatus and placed at various remote locations, and when desiredto extend only very low voltage lines between the remote indicators andthe main components of the apparatus. Additional objects and advantageswill appear as the specification proceeds.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which----- applications and can be used to give indicationsof condition changes of predetermined character in apparatus with whichit is associated. The indicator is self sustaining, and to cause it tooperate it is only required that the circuit be either momentarily orcontinuously completed by switch means which is controlled by theapparatus with which the signal device is arranged. A typical embodimentof the apparatus in association with a conventional doorbell system isshown in the drawings, and it should be appreciated that the doorbellsystem'is simply exemplary of the many difierent systems with which thesignal apparatus is useful. In describing the invention in detailreference will first be made to Figure 1.

Illustrated in Figure 1 is a conventional doorbell that is designatedgenerally with the numeral 10. The doorbell 10, as is customary, has alow voltage coil 11 connected through a switch 12 with the secondarywinding 13 of a transformer designated generally with the numeral 14 andthat has the usual primary winding 15 connected to a suitable powersource not shown, and which may be the volt A.C. house line. Thesecondary winding 13 may provide 6 volts A.C. for the doorbell 10, butit will be apparent that the doorbell might be designed to operate atsome other voltage and conceivably could be operated directly from thepower line to the house. A switch 16 is also provided in circuit withthe doorbell 1t) and when the switch 16 is closed the doorbell systemoperates in the usual manner. With the switch 16 open, as shown, thedoorbell 10 is inoperative, and upon closing of the switch 12, visualindications are provided rather than the audible signal normallyfu.rnished by the doorbell 10.

For convenience in associating the signal apparatus with the doorbell orwith some other system, a terminal strip 17 is provided having terminals18 and 19 thereon. As is seen in Figure 1, the signal device is arrangedwith the doorbell simply by connecting the leads 20 and 21 to theterminals 22 and 23 rather than to the terminals of the doorbell, and bythereafter connecting the leads 24 and 25 to the terminals 18 and 19. Ajumper 26 extends between the terminals 18 and 22 for completing thecircuit.

The switch 12 may be of any suitable type and may be manually actuated,as in the case of a doorbell button, or may be actuated in any othermanner. For example, the switch 12 may be pressure sensitive andarranged to close and complete the circuit when the pressure in a givenline exceeds some predetermined value. The switch 12 might also becontrolled by a timer, for example, and it will be apparent that anyother suitable means might be provided for actuating the switch.

An indicator or signal device 27 is provided in the circuit and in thespecific illustration given, the device 27 is an electric light.Connected in parallel with the light 27 are a plurality of remotelylocated plugs or sockets 28 and 29 that may be adapted to receive alight or other indicator device that is operative to provide visualindications in a manner to be hereinafter described when the switch 12is depressed.

One side of the indicator 27 is connected through a lead 30 to theprimary 31 of a transformer 32. The primary 31 will be connected to apower outlet in the house, and may be designed to operate at 110 voltsA.C. The secondary winding 33 of the transformer 32 has one side thereofconnected to lead 34 to a solenoid 35. The other side of the secondarywinding 33 is connected through lead 36 and the contacts 37 of a timer38 and through contact 39 and movable solenoid arm 40 to the solenoid35; The timer 38 is provided with a heater 41 that is connected betweenline 34 and through resistance 42 with the arm 40 of the solenoid. Thetimer 38 is operative to interrupt the circuit by breaking the contactterminals 37 upon heating of the heater 41 following the flow of currenttherethrough for a predetermined period of time.

As is seen in Figure 1, when the solenoid 35 is deenergized, the arm 40thereof makes contact with the contact member 43 that in turn isconnected to the terminal 23 on the terminal strip 17. The solenoid 35is also equipped with a second movable contact arm 44 that engagescontact member 45 when the solenoid 35 is deenergized and that isadapted to engage the contact member 46 when the solenoid is energized.Contact member 45 and the primary winding 31 of transformer 32 areconnected together through lead 47 having a switch 48 interposed incircuit therewith. The movable arm 44 is connected through lead 49 toone side of the indicator 27. It will be apparent from an inspection ofFigure 1 that the light or indicator 27 is energized when the solenoid35'is de-energized and when the switch 48 is closed.

When desired, a flasher unit designated generally with the numeral 50may be incorporated in the circuit so as to cause the indicator 27 toflash on and oh when the switch 12 is depressed. The flasher unit 50 isprovided with the usual heater member 51 that has one side thereofconnected to the contact point 46 and at its other end is connected tothe lead 47 and thereby to the primary winding 31 of transformer 32. Theflasher is also equipped with the conventional contact arm 52 having oneend thereof connected to lead 47 and the other end thereof adapted tobev connected to the contact member 46 through the contact point 53.

In operation of the annunciator or signal apparatus, the circuits areconnected as described hereinbefore. If it is desired to have thedoorbell energized when the switch 12 is depressed, the switch 16 willbe moved to closed position. On the other hand, if the doorbell 10 is tobe taken from the circuit, the switch 16 is moved to the open position,as is shown in Figure 1. When the switch 12 is depressed momentarily, acircuit is completed through the line 21, terminal 23, contact 43 andsolenoid arm 40 to one side of the solenoid 35. The opposite side of thesolenoid is connected through line 34, terminal 22, line 20 and switch12 to the secondary 13 of the transformer 14. Thus, when the switch 12is momentarily depressed, the solenoid 35 is energized.

Energizing the solenoid 35 causes the arms 40 and 44 thereof to swingdownwardly and into engagement respectively with contacts 39 and 46.Such movement of the arm 40 breaks the circuit through the secondarywinding 13 of the transformer 14, and it will be apparent that it isunimportant whether the switch 12 is thereafter permitted to open orremains in closed position. When the arms 40 and 44 are swungdownwardly, the solenoid 35 remains energized for a circuit therethroughis completed by means of the lead 34, secondary 33 of transformer 32,lead 36, through the timer contacts 37 and through contact 39 and arm40. Thus, the solenoid is maintained in an energized state independentlyof the position of the switch 12 following a momentary closing thereof.Since the solenoid is energized, the arm 44 thereof will be inengagement with the contact 46 and through leads 47, 49 and 30 theindicator 27 will be connected across the primary winding 31 of thetransformer 32. Thus, the indicator will be energized.

The flasher unit 50 will function to cyclically make and break thecircuit between leads 47 and 49 and, therefore, the indicator light 27will flash on and oif. It will be appreciated that the flasher unit 50may be selected so that the light 27 flashes at any desired rate.

This condition of the circuit will be maintained until the timer 38,which provides contacts 37 in series with the solenoid 35 functions tobreak the contacts 37 and thereby interrupt the solenoid circuit andcause the solenoid to become de-energized. The timer 38 may be whollyconventional and may be arranged to interrupt the solenoid circuit afterany desired lapse of time. In the specific embodiment shown in Figure 1,the timer is provided with a heater 41 that functions to break thecontacts 37 after a current flow of predetermined magnitude has heatedthe member 41 to some predetermined value. Once the timer 38 functionsto interrupt the solenoid circuit, the signal apparatus will remainde-energized until the switch 12 is again depressed.

The resistance 42 in series with the heater element 41 of the timer 38is provided so that the magnitude of the current flowing through themember or element 41 can be regulated. That is to say, to change thetime cycle of the timer 38 it is only necessary to alter the value ofthe resistance 42. It will be appreciated that initially the timer 38may be selected so that the timed cycle thereof is keyed to fit therequirements of the signal system.

Where the signal apparatus is used in conjunction with a doorbellsystem, it would appear that a flashing indication that is maintainedfor a period of about one minute following the momentary depressing ofthe doorbell button 12 will provide a sufficient length of time toattract the attention of persons within the house. Therefore, the switchor timer 38 may have a cycle of about one minute. In a similar mannerthe cyclic opening and closing of the circuit through the flasher 51 mayhave any suitable period and the flasher 51 may be chosen accordingly.

The indicator light 27 can be arranged so that it is normallyde-energized and flashes on and off only following a depressing of thedoorbell switch 12, or it can be arranged so that it is continuouslyenergized and flashes or is repetitiously de-energized following adepressing of the doorbell switch 12. These conditions are provided byselective positioning of the switch 48. When the switch is open, as isshown in Figure l, the indicator light 27 is normally tie-energized. Onthe other hand, when the switch 48 is closed, the indicator 27 isnormally energized. Thus, the indicator light 27 may be used as a nightlight, for example.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2 is essentiallythe same as that described in detail with reference to Figure 1, exceptthat the indicator or signal unit is arranged so that while stillenergized by a relatively high voltage, that is, the 110 volt A.C. linepower, it is not necessary to connect the indicator with the othercomponents of the apparatus by means of leads that carry 110 volts A.C.Thus, remotely located indicator units may be connected to the remainingelements of the signal apparatus through leads that carry, for example,6 volts A.C.

For purposes of illustration, the signal apparatus is shown associatedwith a doorbell system that is shown in dotted lines and that isdesignated generally with the numeral 6h. The doorbell is connected to aterminal strip 61 and through the terminal strip and switches 62 and 63with the secondary 64 of a transformer 65 having a primary winding 66.The solenoid 67 is connected through its movable arm 68 and contactmember 69 t0 the terminal strip 61 while the opposite side thereof isconnected through line 70 and leads 71 and 72 to the terminal strip 61.It is apparent then that when the switch 63, which may be the doorbellbutton, is depressed that the solenoid 67 is energized.

When the solenoid 67 is energized the movable arm 68 thereof is drawndownwardly and into engagement with the contact member 73 which isconnected through timer 74 with the secondary winding 75 of transformer76, which is also provided with a primary winding 77 connected to anappropriate power outlet. The opposite assassa side of the solenoid 67is connected through lead 70 and lead 71 with the secondary winding 75of the transformer. It will be apparent then that the solenoid 67remains energized after a momentary closing of the switch 63 until thecircuit through the secondary Winding '75 is interrupted by the timer74- in the same manner hereinbefore described in detail.

Lead 71 terminates in a junction or terminal 78 that may comprise a partof a plug having a second terminal 79 that is connected through lead andtimer 74 with the secondary winding 75 of transformer 76. A flasher unit81 may be interposed in the lead 80 so that the supply of power to theterminals '78 and 79 is cyclically interrupted. The flasher unit 81corresponds to the unit 50 described in detail with reference to Figurel, and therefore, a further description will not now be set forth indetail. The plug or junction provided by the terminals '78 and 79 isadapted to be connected with a. plug provided by the terminals 82 and 83that in turn are connected to a solenoid 84. The solenoid 84 has amovable arm 85 adapted to electrically engage the contact 86 when thesolenoid is de-energized and to engage the contact 87 when the solenoidis energized. The arm 85 is connected through lead 88 with a plug 89adapted to be inserted into a power outlet. A lead 99 is also connectedwith the plug 89 and with an indicator 91 that may be an electric light.The opposite side of the indicator 911 is connected to the movable armof a switch 92. When the switch 92 is in the position illustrated inFigure 2 it is connected with the contact member 86 and when it is swungto the other of its positions it is connected through lead 93 with thecontact member 87.

The operation of this embodiment is substantially the same as theoperation of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1. More specifically,when the switch 63 is depressed the solenoid 67 is energized and itremains energized after the switch 63 is released, for once energized itis connected across the secondary winding 75 of the transformer 76. Thesolenoid remains energized until the time cycle of the timer 74-elaspses and at that time the solenoid circuit is de-energized. Thesolenoid 84 is cyclically energized through the flasher unit 81, andwhen energized the arm thereof makes electric contact with the member 87which causes the circuit through the indicator light 91 to beinterrupted. Thus, when the switch 92 is in the position shown in Figure2, the indicator light 91 is continuously energized, and it iscyclically de-energized or extinguished as the solenoid 84 is cyclicallyenergized through the flasher unit 81. On the other hand, when theswitch 92 is swung into engagement with the other of its contacts, theindicator light 91 is normally de-energized and is cyclically energizedas the circuit through the solenoid 84 is repetitiously completed andinterrupted. Particularly with this form of the invention the indicator91 might be an ordinary lamp, such as a reading lamp, and by properpositioning of the switch 92 the lamp could be used to fulfill itscustomary function and when the switch 63 is depressed the lamp wouldthen flash and the presence of someone at the door would then be madeapparent.

It will be appreciated that we have provided an annunciator or signalapparatus having many useful applications and that is particularlyadapted for use in conjunction with conventional doorbell systems forapprising the hard of hearing that someone is depressing their doorbellbutton. The system provides an indication that lasts for a predeterminedtime of sufiicient duration to permit a persons attention to beattracted by the visual indicator. At the same time, the flashingindicator does not remain energized indefinitely unless such conditionis desired.

While in the foregoing specification embodiments of the invention havebeen illustrated and described in considerable detail for purposes ofproviding a complete and clear description of the invention, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be madein these details without departing from the spirit and principles of theinvention.

We claim:

1. An annunciator circuit of the character described, comprising asolenoid equipped with normally open and normally closed contact membersand also with a movable arm for selectively engaging the respectivecontact members when said solenoid is energized and deenergized, a firstsource of power for energizing said solenoid and being connected theretothrough said normally closed contact members, a second source of powerfor maintaining said solenoid in an energized condition after suchenergization thereof and being connected thereto through said normallyopen contact members, a switch in circuit with said first source ofpower for establishing such connection thereof with said solenoid toenergize the same when the switch is close-d, energization of saidsolenoid being effective to disconnect said first power source therefromand at the same time to effect connection of said solenoid with saidsecond power source whereby said solenoid then remains energizedindependently of the position of said switch subsequent to a momentaryclosing thereof, an indicator, circuit means for said indicator andcomprising a power source therefor and being connected with saidsolenoid for control thereby, interrupter means in said circuit meansfor repetitively completing and interrupting the same when said solenoidis energized, and timer means in circuit with said second power sourceand solenoid for interrupting the connection of said second power sourceto said solenoid at the expiration of a predetermined time interval,said first source of power and switch therefor comprising a unitarysignal system having its own standard indicator of a character differingfrom that of the aforesaid indicator and to be replaced thereby.

2. The circuit of claim 1 in which selector means are provided in saidcircuit means for determining the normal condition of said indicator asbeing selectively energized or deenergized, whereby said interruptermeans is operative to repetitively deenergize or energize said indicatorin accordance with the condition of said selector means.

3. In a signal device adapted for use as a door anuunci' ator, asolenoid equipped with normally open contacts closed by the energizationof the solenoid, a first low voltage circuit connected with saidsolenoid for energiz ing the same and having a doorbell switch thereinfor completing the circuit when the switch is closed, a second lowvoltage circuit connected with said solenoid through said contacts anddefining a self-holding circuit therewith to maintain the solenoid in anenergized state after it is initially energized by a momentary closingof said switch, an indicator, and a relatively high voltage thirdcircuit connected with said indicator for energizing the same when saidsolenoid is energized, said third circuit being equipped with normallyopen switch means in series therewith controlled by said solenoid so asto be closed thereby when said solenoid is energized.

4. The device of claim 3 in which circuit interrupter means areconnected with said third circuit for repetitively interrupting andcompleting the same when said solenoid is energized, and in which timermeans are provided in said second circuit for interrupting the sameafter said solenoid has been energized for a predetermined period.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,086,527 Hamilton Feb. 10, 1914 1,826,477 Olpp Oct. 6, 1931 1,958,822House May 14, 1934 2,073,585 Parissi Mar. 9, 1937 2,637,801 Kelly May 5,1953

